Post #1: Reading the Runaways

The Geography of Slavery website had a lot of newspaper advertisements on the slaves and servants who ran away during 1736 to 1786.  These advertisements contained various information about these slaves and servants who ran away.  The majority of these runaway slaves and servants were fairly young in age and dressed in nice clothes.

Most of the runaway slaves and servants ranged from their late teens to their early thirties.  This makes sense because it would be hard to run away if they were old in age.  To run away being in a good physical condition would be a benefit for them, and the younger they are, it is more likely they are in good shape.  Therefore, the majority of the runaways were in there twenties for their benefit.

The majority of these slaves and servants in the advertisements were also dressed in fairly nice clothes.  For example, in the Virginia Gazette (Parks), Williamsburg, From February 10 to February 17, 1737 [1738] newspaper advertisment it says, “He wears a worsted Cap or a Wig, dark Drugget Jacket and breeches, a Pair of Trowsers, worsted Stockings, good Shoes, large Bath Buckles, and fine Shirts. ‘Tis suppos’d he has taken with him a light colour’d great Coat; and perhaps he may get other Cloaths…”.  I find it strange for a slave or servant to be wearing and owning such clothing, but this also makes sense as to why they were dressed this way.  When dressed in such a way it probably made it easier for them to look as a freeman and not as a slave or servant running away making it easier for them to escape.  For that purpose, most of them were dressed somewhat nicely.

Throughout the 1736 to 1803 these runaway slaves and servants were for the most part pretty young in age and disguising in clothing not common for a slave or servant.  This finding is not very shocking and rather makes sense as to why the majority of the runaway slaves and servants in the newspaper advertisements had these similar evidences.

Add a comment September 13, 2007